First if the Rio had 9/6 JB, at least it would have something almost decent.
Right now it has nothing (I'll be over there today and will check to see if
some $5 machines have shown up - they were not there last time I was). Of
course I would prefer some quarter 10/7 DB and FP dueces, but I'll take 9/6
if I have to, since I like the Rio very much. Its buffet is excellent (the
Carnival one - the seafood buffet is overpriced). At least some 9/6 JB
machines would give me something to play. I am willing to play a slightly
negative game to get the benefits of comps and promotional
tournaments/shows/etc. at some casinos.
9/6 JB actually can be positive play in some situations. The same is true for
NSU dueces. Even in Atlantic City I could play under 100% games and end up
at 100% or slightly above with cashback and bonuses.
Also comps, promotions such as free tickets to major shows, tournaments, and
so on can also add to your total EV. If you need rooms, then room offers can
give you added value. For example someone visiting Las Vegas may find that
$1 play at Caesars or Bellagio or Venetian is worthwhile, because by the time
you add on the cashback you are playing at close to 100%, but you end up
getting terrific rooms on the strip too, instead of playing quarter dueces
and ending up staying at the Gold Coast. And your food comps are in the
nicer restaurants at the nicer strip hotels.
Some of us just like VP because it lowers our total losses and allows us to
get more "bang" for our bucks in terms of playing time, comps, etc., but we
are not Bob Dancer type perfect players, and we do make errors and may even
occasionally play "reel" slots, craps, BJ, or poorer VP. But by taking some
advantage of better pay tables, strategy, promotions, and comps, we end up
doing far better than the "average" casino-goer, although we still may end up
with losses over the year. (Actually I think this is probably the case for
the vast majority of the group here. Only a very very few people are capable
of the discipline necessary to consistently win at VP or any other "beatable"
casino game such as sports betting, BJ, etc.
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By the way the Venetian has changed its machines and made many machines
multi-game. This means that there are more $5 9/6 Jb in the high roller
room, and a bank of $1 VP games that includes 9/6 JB is nearby outside under
a big Progressive sign.
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